Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have issued seven charges against licensed trainer Bryce Stanaway regarding his conduct during the race meeting at Bendigo Racecourse on Saturday, 17 October 2020 and in the subsequent days.
Mr Stanaway’s horse Moorabool was eased out of Race 8 in the home straight at Bendigo Racecourse by its jockey and failed to complete the course. The jockey dismounted and the horse was attended to on the racetrack by the RV barrier attendants and a RV veterinarian.
The Stewards allege that Mr Stanaway then behaved in a manner that was prejudicial to the image, interests and/or welfare of racing; that he acted in a threatening and/or abusive manner to RV officials; and that he refused to allow the RV veterinarian to provide emergency care to Moorabool on the racetrack and/or otherwise sought to reverse care undertaken by that RV veterinarian.
As a result of his actions at Bendigo Racecourse on the day of the meeting, Mr Stanaway has been charged with two breaches of AR228 for conduct detrimental to the interests of racing; one breach of LR94A for abusive conduct; and one breach of LR94B for threatening conduct.
The Stewards and another RV veterinarian then sought to conduct a welfare inspection of Moorabool at Mr Stanaway’s licensed premises at Torquay on 20 October 2020, where it is alleged he requested that they vacate his licensed premises, refused them access to inspect Moorabool, and otherwise acted in an intimidating and/or abusive manner.
As a result of this, Mr Stanaway has been charged with one breach of AR232(c)(ii) for obstructing or hindering the Stewards from inspecting Moorabool; and one breach of LR94A for intimidating and/or abusive conduct.
Mr Stanaway was also charged with one breach of AR231(1)(b)(iii) for allegedly failing to provide necessary veterinary treatment to Moorabool between the race meeting and at least the morning of 20 October 2020.
The charges will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.